Du Châtelet Prize

The Du Châtelet Prize in Philosophy of Physics celebrates excellence in philosophy of physics and promotes breadth across the field both historically and philosophically.

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The Du Châtelet Prize in Philosophy of Physics is supported by Duke University in collaboration with Studies in History and Philosophy of Science.

2021

Measurement practices in the physical sciences: correlation, calibration and stabilization

Winners:

Jamee Elder, “On the ‘direct detection’ of gravitational waves"

Miguel Ohnesorge, “Pluralising measurement”

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Committee:

Alisa Bokulich, Hasok Chang, Daniel Mitchell, and Wendy Parker

2020

Mathematics as a tool of conceptual innovation in physical theory and/or experiment, 1780-1890

Winner:

Joshua Eisenthal, "Hertz's Mechanics and a unitary notion of force”

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Committee: 

Janet Folina, Doreen Fraser, Lydia Patton and Sheldon Smith

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2019

How matter acts on matter: unsolved problems in the philosophy of physics, 1700-1760

Winner:

Adwait Parker, “Newton on Active and Passive Quantities of Matter”

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Committee:

Katherine Brading, Mary Domski, Andrew Janiak, Chris Smeenk, and George Smith

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"Physics is an immense building that surpasses the powers of a single man. Some lay a stone there, while others build whole wings... still others survey the plan of the building, and I, among them."